Miastor metraloas
This record describes Miastor metraloas (species). Recorded family: Cecidomyiidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Tarsi with only four tarsomeres and wings with reduced venation. Most Cecidomyiidae have five tarsomeres, usually with the first short and hard to distinguish. A few species have two or three.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Sciaroidea
- Family
- Cecidomyiidae (Gall Midges and Wood Midges)
- Subfamily
- Winnertziinae
- Tribe
- Heteropezini
- Genus
- Miastor
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The BugGuide photo was reared from larvae "living in rotting Black Birch bark, in a swampy lowland." Larvae are most often found in rotting birch, but sometimes in other trees.
Geographic Range
Northeast USA, also widespread in Palaearctic region
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Miastor metraloas. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Miastor metraloas (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr
Frequently Asked Questions About Miastor metraloas
What is Miastor metraloas?
Miastor metraloas is a species in the family Cecidomyiidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Miastor metraloas?
Tarsi with only four tarsomeres and wings with reduced venation. Most Cecidomyiidae have five tarsomeres, usually with the first short and hard to distinguish. A few species have two or three.
Where is Miastor metraloas found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | The BugGuide photo was reared from larvae living in rotting Black Birch bark, in a swampy lowland. Larvae are most often found in rotting birch, but sometimes in other trees. |
| Range | Northeast USA, also widespread in Palaearctic region |